Altun Ha Maya ruins tour from Belize City: Private van and guide

Walk the routes ancient Mayans traveled, then climb Altun Ha's highest structures for the view.

A private tour of Altun Ha departs from Belize City with an experienced guide, air-conditioned van and Belizean lunch, taking four hours total. You drive the old northern highway to the classical Mayan trading center, learn the history of the site from your guide, walk the same routes the Mayans used, and climb to the top of the highest monumental structures for views across the landscape.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Altun Ha Mayan Ruins

• Drive on old northern highway
• Visit Altun Ha Mayan site
• Learn about ancient Mayans
• Walk ancient Mayan routes
• Enjoy views from ruins

The experience

You're picked up from your Belize City hotel or arrival point in an air-conditioned van, then driven north on the old highway to Altun Ha. The route itself is part of the experience: you're following paths the Mayans walked as traders centuries ago. Your guide narrates the history of the site as you approach, who built it, when, and why it mattered as a trading center in the classical period.

At Altun Ha, you walk the grounds with your guide and climb the highest monumental structures. The vantage from the top gives you the scale of the site and the landscape around it. Your guide points out details in the architecture and explains what archaeologists have learned from the excavations here: Altun Ha is the most excavated Mayan site in Belize, so there's real substance to what you're seeing, not just ruins.

Lunch is a Belizean spread: rice and beans, stewed chicken, potato salad or coleslaw, with sodas and bottled water. The tour wraps in four hours, leaving you time to explore Belize City or rest before the evening.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned van pickup from your Belize City location.
• experienced guide in English or Spanish.
• entry to Altun Ha.
• Belizean lunch of rice and beans, stewed chicken, and potato salad or coleslaw.
• sodas and bottled water.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 to 80 years) · Youth (10 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 9 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 13 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Jose Tours Belize

Is this one for you?Pickup from Belize City means you don't need a rental car or arrange separate transport. The van collects you from your hotel and handles the drive to Altun Ha and back, so the whole day fits if you have a free afternoon or morning after arrival.

Traveler reviews

4.38★★★★★★★★★★

65 verified traveler reviews

5 ★43

4 ★11

3 ★7

2 ★1

1 ★3

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 17 years); Child (4 to 9 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Altun Ha and why is it significant?

Altun Ha is a classical Mayan trading center and the most excavated Mayan site in Belize. Your guide explains its history and role in the ancient Mayan world as you walk the grounds and climb the highest structures.

Do I need to be fit to do this tour?

The tour involves walking and climbing to the top of monumental structures at Altun Ha. Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. It is not recommended for those with poor cardiovascular health.

What's included in the tour price?

The price covers the air-conditioned van pickup from Belize City, your experienced guide, entry to Altun Ha, a Belizean lunch with rice and beans, stewed chicken, potato salad or coleslaw, and bottled water and sodas throughout the day.